Methods, devices, and systems for automatic flight logs

• US 6,868,320 B1
• Filed: 05/19/2004
• Issued: 03/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Garmin Limited
• Original Assignee: Garmin Limited
• Inventors: Burch, Matthew C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tan Q.
• Application Number:
  US10/848,712
• Time in Patent Office: 300 Days
• Field of Search: 701/3, 701/4, 701/14, 701/33, 701/35, 701/213, 340/994, 340/945, 340/995.17, 340/995.19, 340/995.26, 340/995.7, 340/995.18, 340/995.27, 244/76.R
• US Class Current: 701/35
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 23/00 Combined instruments indicating more than one navigational value, e.g. for aircraft; Combined measuring devices for measuring two or more variables of movement, e.g. distance, speed or acceleration

Abstract

System, devices and methods are provided for automatic flight logs. One method includes receiving one or more location data points associated with a flight, automatically recording the one or more location data points in a flight log, and allowing access through a display user-interface to view and operate on the flight log. Receiving the one or more location data points includes obtaining the location data points from a global positioning system (GPS).

Claims

1. An avionics device comprising:

a processor;

a memory operably coupled to the processor;

a global positioning system (GPS) receiver operably coupled to the processor and the memory for resolving a location of the device;

software operable in connection with the GPS receiver to automatically maintain a flight log book; and

wherein the device includes at least three distinct modes of operation.

2. The avionics device of claim 1, wherein the software operable in connection with the GPS receiver to automatically maintain a flight log book includes software operable to calculate flight time and operable to automatically record departure and arrival locations.

3. The avionics device of claim 1, wherein the device further includes a display operable to graphically present flight information and operable to access the flight log book.

4. The avionics device of claim 1, wherein the at least three distinct modes of operation include an aviation mode, a land mode and a water mode.

5. The avionics device of claim 1, wherein the avionics device includes a transceiver operable for wirelessly transmitting and receiving data with an electronic device.

6. The avionics device of claim 5, wherein the electronic device includes an electronic device selected from the group of a laptop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a testing apparatus, and a cell phone.

7. The avionics device of claim 5, wherein the transceiver is operable to transmit and receive signals selected from the group of Bluetooth signals, RF signals and infrared signals.

8. The avionics device of claim 1, wherein the avionics device includes a portable, handheld device.

9. An avionics device, comprising:

a processor;

a memory operably coupled to the processor;

a global positioning system (GPS) receiver operably coupled to the processor and the memory for resolving a location of the device; and

software operable in connection with the GPS receiver to provide at least three distinct modes of operation.

10. The avionics device of claim 9, wherein the software is further operable in connection with the GPS receiver to automatically maintain a flight log book, calculate flight time, and automatically record departure and arrival locations.

11. The avionics device of claim 10, further including a display operable to graphically present flight information and operable to access the flight log book.

12. The avionics device of claim 9, wherein the at least three distinct modes of operation include an aviation mode, a land mode and a water mode.

13. The avionics device of claim 9, further including a transceiver operable for wirelessly transmitting and receiving data with an electronic device.

14. The avionics device of claim 13, wherein the electronic device includes an electronic device selected from the group of a laptop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a testing apparatus, and a cell phone.

15. The avionics device of claim 13, wherein the transceiver is operable to transmit and receive signals selected from the group of Bluetooth signals, RF signals and infrared signals.

16. The avionics device of claim 9, wherein the avionics device includes a portable, handheld device.

17. An avionics device, comprising:

a processor;

a global positioning system (GPS) receiver operably coupled to the processor for resolving a location of the device; and

software operable in connection with the GPS receiver to provide an aviation mode and a land mode.

18. The avionics device of claim 17, wherein the aviation mode includes a map page, a HSI page, an active route page, and a position page.

19. The avionics device of claim 17, further including input keys that can be used to enter information selected from the group consisting of an identifier, facility name, and city.

20. The avionics device of claim 17, further including input keys that can be used to retrieve detailed information for a waypoint.

21. The avionics device of claim 17, further including input keys that can be used for retrieving navald frequencies.

22. The avionics device of claim 17, further including input keys that can be used for retrieving airport information.

23. The avionics device of claim 17, wherein the land mode includes a map page, a Radio Magnetic Indicator (RMI) page, a current route page, and a position page.

24. The avionics device of claim 17, further including input keys that can be used to search for waypoints.

25. An avionics device, comprising;

a processor;

a global positioning system (GPS) receiver operably coupled to the processor for resolving a location of the device; and

software operable in connection with the GPS receiver to provide an aviation mode and a water mode.

26. The avionics device of claim 25, wherein the aviation mode includes a map page, a HSI page, an active route page, and a position page.

27. The avionics device of claim 25, further including input keys that can be used to enter information selected from the group consisting of an identifier, facility name, and city.

28. The avionics device of claim 25, further including input keys that can be used to retrieve detailed information for a waypoint.

29. The avionics device of claim 25, further including input keys that can be used for retrieving navald frequencies.

30. The avionics device of claim 25, further including input keys that can be used for retrieving airport information.

31. The avionics device of claim 25, wherein the water mode includes a map page, a Radio Magnetic Indicator (RMI) page, a current route page, and a position page.

32. The avionics device of claim 25, further including input keys that can be used to search for waypoints.

33. A navigation device, comprising:

a processor;

a global positioning system (GPS) receiver operably coupled to the processor for resolving a location of the device; and

software operable in connection with the GPS receiver to provide a land mode and a water mode.

34. The avionics device of claim 33, wherein each mode includes a map page, a Radio Magnetic Indicator (RMI) page, a current route page, and a position page.

35. The navigation device of claim 33, further including input keys that can be used to search for waypoints.